How novel technologies can be used to enhance football fan experience?

Abstract

Football, a sport that captivates millions, is constantly evolving, as are the expectations of its fans. Over the last few decades, we have witnessed rapid technological advances that have radically changed the way we live, work and interact with our environment. The world of football has not remained on the sidelines of this revolution. In this changing environment, clubs and sports organizations, eager to maximize fan engagement, are exploring the use of innovative and promising technologies. Blockchain, cryptocurrencies, NFTs, fan tokens, Web 3.0 and the Metaverse are at the heart of this exploration. Today, sports successes are no longer the only attraction for fans. They're looking for a more personalized, immersive experience. The adoption of these technologies, while new and even more so in the sporting arena, raises questions as to their real impact and interest for fans. To better understand how organizations perceive the use of these innovative technologies and their effect on the fan experience, experts in the field of football and new technologies were consulted. The study reveals the considerable potential of these technologies and the current level of maturity in the market, despite a lack of hindsight regarding their practical use. While many advantages of these technologies were identified, limitations and constraints also emerged. These currently restrict the full exploitation of their potential to enrich the experience of football fans.